Hyderabad: A Rajendranagar MDMA drug bust led to the arrest of two foreign nationals after police seized 150 grams of MDMA worth about Rs 25 lakh during a joint operation by Rajendranagar police and the Hyderabad Narcotic Enforcement Wing (H-NEW).
Police identified the accused as Al-Aqar Abdurabu Mohammed Abdurabu (37), a Yemen national residing at Tolichowki in Hyderabad, and Hasan W. A. Hashem (28), a Palestinian national currently residing in Bengaluru. Officers also seized a knife and four mobile phones from their possession.
The arrests were made on March 3 following credible information about drug trafficking activities within the limits of Rajendranagar police station. Police registered a case under Crime No.236/2026 under Sections 8(C), 22(C) and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985, along with Section 14 of the Foreigners Act.
According to police, Abdurabu Mohammed had a long criminal history related to narcotics offences. He was earlier arrested in several NDPS cases registered by Prohibition and Excise police in Ameerpet and by other agencies. In two recent cases registered in 2023 and 2026, he was shown as absconding and non-bailable warrants were pending against him.
Investigation details in Rajendranagar MDMA drug bust
Police said the Rajendranagar MDMA drug bust exposed a network in which Abdurabu Mohammed allegedly procured narcotic drugs such as MDMA and cocaine from an absconding Nigerian supplier. He reportedly placed orders through WhatsApp and transferred payments online.
Hasan allegedly assisted him in collecting drugs and distributing them to consumers in Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Police said the accused sometimes used a dead-drop method to supply narcotics, while in other instances they delivered drugs directly to known consumers.
Investigators also found that drugs were occasionally transported to Hyderabad through private travel buses. Police believe the accused targeted young consumers and professionals to expand their network.
Officials said Abdurabu Mohammed came to India in 2008 on a tourist visa and later returned on student visas but discontinued his studies. Over the years, he allegedly became involved in drug trafficking after associating with several narcotics offenders.
Hasan earlier studied in Bengaluru and was arrested in 2022 in another NDPS case by Yelahanka New Town police after authorities seized 300 grams of MDMA. After being released on bail, he worked in different occupations before allegedly re-establishing contact with Abdurabu Mohammed.
Police stated that drug abuse among students, IT professionals and other employees remains a serious concern. Authorities urged parents to monitor their children’s activities and asked the public to share information about drug abuse with the H-NEW team.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of DCP Rajendranagar Zone S. Srinivas, Additional DCP K. Srinivas and ACP Rajendranagar Division T. Srinivas.
